Easton claims double podium, Ellison 'deflated'

13 September 2010

His title hopes are already over, having failed to qualify as a Title Fighter for the Showdown stage, but Stuart Easton gave the Swan Honda team a welcome boost with his first double podium of 2010 at Croft on Sunday.

"It has been a much better weekend for me and I am so happy to be back up on the podium and putting the team back where it should be," said the Scot, Easton, who scored his maiden BSB victory in the corresponding round of last year.

"Two podiums from two races is all I could have hoped for today and they were tough, especially race two as I had a bit of tension in my arm. The podium in the first race got the monkey off my back and I was able to relax a bit for race two and then go out and repeat the performance.

"It has been an unbelievable weekend and fair play to the team as they have worked so hard for this result. I also need to thank the team, all of our sponsors and supporters who have stood by me this season."

Team-mate James Ellison, whose title hopes were ended by injury, had qualified fourth but was sidelined by a front tyre puncture in the opening race before claiming sixth place in race two.

“It has been a weird weekend for me and one of mixed emotions," said Ellison. "I felt like I was getting stronger throughout the event and I was so happy with how qualifying went and to be on the front row. We came out and had a good warm up session so I was feeling good for the races.

"I was up fighting for the podium and the bike just didn't feel right on the front; I tried to ride around the problem but it wasn't until about half way through the race that I knew something was very wrong. I thought I could stay out and salvage some good points as I was in fourth but it just got too bad and I nearly launched myself a few times.

"In the second race I just got caught behind Michael Rutter and I passed him but then ran wide on more than one occasion, so that was disappointing as I was hoping for more this weekend.”